Marie Curie was faced with many adversities being a woman in a male dominated field, but even with this difficulty going against her she became the world’s most famous female scientist. Marie Curie never let anything slow her down as she followed her enthusiasm for science. Her aspirations were not limited to only obtaining knowledge of science, but applying it to reality. She had a passion for helping people during World War I, using radium and her portable x-ray machine to diagnose and reduce many people’s pain (“Discovery of Radium and Polonium”). She is recognized with the discovery of the elements of radium and polonium, along with many other discoveries, which led to the first looks at the treatment of cancer. Due to all of these accomplishments, Marie was the first woman to receive her doctoral degree and two Nobel Prizes.
Insight and Influences
Marie’s love for science was not left in the laboratory; she used her knowledge to aid others. In 1914 World War I began and Marie felt as though she was “resolved to put all [her] strength at the service of [her] adopted country” (letter from
Marie Curie (Image courtesy of Academy of Achievement)
Marie Curie to Paul Langevin, January 1, 1915). Marie understood that x-ray machines would allow doctors to see bullets and broken bones. With this fact Marie took Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen’s x-ray machine to the next level by making it portable. Marie even took her war efforts a step further by going to many auto shops trying to convince them to turn their cars into vans so that her equipment could fit in them. By the end of October 1914, Marie had succeeded in helping in the creation of twenty radiology vehicles (“Marie Curie and the History of Radiology”).
Marie learned how to drive so she could help with the radiology vehicles, but even with her daughter Irene’s help, she knew there was no way they could drive all the vehicles. Marie created the solution for this problem by training many women to be radiological assistants. Rather than considering all her war efforts done at this point she went on to establish a military radiotherapy service. "She collected radon, which is a radioactive gas that radium emits and sent it to doctors who could use it to destroy diseased tissue" (“Marie Curie and the Science of Radiology”). Even after the war was over in 1918, Marie continued to help wounded soldiers with all her medical advances. Marie devoted four years of her life to her war efforts, which resulted in not only much advancement in science and medical studies, but more importantly the saving of many soldiers’ lives.
Major Contributions
Marie Curie is best known for her discovery of the two elements Radium and Polonium. Marie’s husband Pierre was so intrigued by Marie’s research and possible discovery of a new element that he put his research on the side and began to assist Marie with her work. Although even with their curiosity “Neither of [them] could foresee that in beginning this work [they] were to enter the path of a new science which [they] should follow for all [their] future” (Pierre Curie pp. 96-98). After years of strenuous work Marie and Pierre published their discovery of the new element Polonium, named after Marie’s home country, in July of 1898. Six months later they had a second publication for the discovery of Radium. It took three more years, though, before Polonium and Radium were actually accepted as elements of the Periodic Table. Finally, she had succeeding in one of the greatest achievements a scientist can obtain, adding new elements to the Periodic Table. Radium ended up being called the “Miracle Drug”. It damages tissue and could be used to slow the process of cancer and many other illnesses, which went on to save many people lives (“Marie Curie and the Science of Radiology”). Marie always focused on the practical applications of her research. With the discovery of these two elements, Marie became infatuated with radioactivity, and used all of her research for medical advancements to assist those in pain. Then “In 1932, she oversaw the founding of the Radium Institute in Warsaw” in order for others to follow in her steps(“Discovery of Radium and Polonium”). Without Marie’s discoveries of Radium and Polonium medical advances would be farther behind than they are in the present.
Effect and Affect
Marie was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867. Both her parents were well educated and taught their daughter to be the same way. Marie grew up with a thirst for knowledge that seemed to never be quenched. Her father was first to introduce her to the thrill of physics and chemistry, which led to Marie desiring more and more knowledge. Marie had written as a youth that “[she] easily learned mathematics and physics…[she] found in this ready help from [her] father, who loved science.” Women, though, were not allowed to further their education in Poland. Marie’s sister Bronya was willing to help Marie with the cost and so Marie was able to attend Sorbonne in Paris at the age of twenty-four to follow her dreams of becoming even more knowledgeable in physics and chemistry (“Marie Curie”).
"It was like a new world opened to me, the world of science, which I was at last permitted to know in all liberty", she wrote this as her new experiences and learning at Sorbonne began. “Here she listened to lectures by Paul Appel, Gabriel Lippmann and Edmund Bouty and met many physicists, such as Aimé Cotton, Charles Maurain and Jean Perrin” (“Marie Curie the Great Women Scientist”). When Marie did actually take time out of her studies to eat, it was a quick meal of bread and water (“Marie Curie”). Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry were her entire life, but this would change when she met Pierre Curie. He too had an infatuation for science, which led to many enlightening conversation between the pair of them and eventually their marriage in 1895.
Marie and Pierre were more than husband and wife; they were partners in all their studies and discoveries.“[Their] work drew [them] closer and closer, until [they] were both convinced that neither of [them] could find a better life companion,” wrote Marie. Even though Marie and Pierre seemed to be meant for each other, Marie still had to learn how to balance life as a wife, researcher, and also a job as a science teacher for young women. Being a teacher, though, had to take a back seat, because in September of 1897 Marie had her daughter Irene. Marie and Pierre’s life was revolved completely around their family and their work, which may have been the reason their daughter Irene, as she became older, grew to have the same passion for science as her parents.
The Things She Left Behind
Though Marie’s life would end on July 4, 1934 her research and discoveries would keep her memory and achievements alive, making her one of the most famous physicist ever, man or woman. Her death is thought to have been caused by her constant exposure to radiation in her lab, but her death would not stop the continuation of her research.Marie's work indirectly led to the discovery of artificial radioactivity through the research of her daughter Irene and Irene’s husband Frederic Joliot (“Discovery of Radium and Polonium”).Her daughter would even go on to win a noble prize just as she had. Marie Curie, as one of the first female professors, also provided a role model for women who wanted to do more in their life. With Marie’s example women no longer felt as though they were being held back by prejudice societal views; they now had the confidence to go out and follow their ambitions just as Marie did.Marie Curie’s work became a foundation for treating cancer, manipulating nuclear energy and creating atomic bombs, along with many other contributions ("Marie Curie”).
Table of Contents
Marie Curie
Marie Curie was faced with many adversities being a woman in a male dominated field, but even with this difficulty going against her she became the world’s most famous female scientist. Marie Curie never let anything slow her down as she followed her enthusiasm for science. Her aspirations were not limited to only obtaining knowledge of science, but applying it to reality. She had a passion for helping people during World War I, using radium and her portable x-ray machine to diagnose and reduce many people’s pain (“Discovery of Radium and Polonium”). She is recognized with the discovery of the elements of radium and polonium, along with many other discoveries, which led to the first looks at the treatment of cancer. Due to all of these accomplishments, Marie was the first woman to receive her doctoral degree and two Nobel Prizes.
Insight and Influences
Marie’s love for science was not left in the laboratory; she used her knowledge to aid others. In 1914 World War I began and Marie felt as though she was “resolved to put all [her] strength at the service of [her] adopted country” (letter from
Marie learned how to drive so she could help with the radiology vehicles, but even with her daughter Irene’s help, she knew there was no way they could drive all the vehicles. Marie created the solution for this problem by training many women to be radiological assistants. Rather than considering all her war efforts done at this point she went on to establish a military radiotherapy service. "She collected radon, which is a radioactive gas that radium emits and sent it to doctors who could use it to destroy diseased tissue" (“Marie Curie and the Science of Radiology”). Even after the war was over in 1918, Marie continued to help wounded soldiers with all her medical advances. Marie devoted four years of her life to her war efforts, which resulted in not only much advancement in science and medical studies, but more importantly the saving of many soldiers’ lives.
Major Contributions
Marie Curie is best known for her discovery of the two elements Radium and Polonium. Marie’s husband Pierre was so intrigued by Marie’s research and possible discovery of a new element that he put his research on the side and began to assist Marie with her work. Although even with their curiosity “Neither of [them] could foresee that in beginning this work [they] were to enter the path of a new science which [they] should follow for all [their] future” (Pierre Curie pp. 96-98). After years of strenuous work Marie and Pierre published their discovery of the new element Polonium, named after Marie’s home country, in July of 1898. Six months later they had a second publication for the discovery of Radium.
It took three more years, though, before Polonium and Radium were actually accepted as elements of the Periodic Table. Finally, she had succeeding in one of the greatest achievements a scientist can obtain, adding new elements to the Periodic Table. Radium ended up being called the “Miracle Drug”. It damages tissue and could be used to slow the process of cancer and many other illnesses, which went on to save many people lives (“Marie Curie and the Science of Radiology”). Marie always focused on the practical applications of her research. With the discovery of these two elements, Marie became infatuated with radioactivity, and used all of her research for medical advancements to assist those in pain. Then “In 1932, she oversaw the founding of the Radium Institute in Warsaw” in order for others to follow in her steps(“Discovery of Radium and Polonium”). Without Marie’s discoveries of Radium and Polonium medical advances would be farther behind than they are in the present.
Effect and Affect
Marie was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867. Both her parents were well educated and taught their daughter to be the same way. Marie grew up with a thirst for knowledge that seemed to never be quenched. Her father was first to introduce her to the thrill of physics and chemistry, which led to Marie desiring more and more knowledge. Marie had written as a youth that “[she] easily learned mathematics and physics…[she] found in this ready help from [her] father, who loved science.” Women, though, were not allowed to further their education in Poland. Marie’s sister Bronya was willing to help Marie with the cost and so Marie was able to attend Sorbonne in Paris at the age of twenty-four to follow her dreams of becoming even more knowledgeable in physics and chemistry (“Marie Curie”).
"It was like a new world opened to me, the world of science, which I was at last permitted to know in all liberty", she wrote this as her new experiences and learning at Sorbonne began. “Here she listened to lectures by Paul Appel, Gabriel Lippmann and Edmund Bouty and met many physicists, such as Aimé Cotton, Charles Maurain and Jean Perrin” (“Marie Curie the Great Women Scientist”). When Marie did actually take time out of her studies to eat, it was a quick meal of bread and water (“Marie Curie”). Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry were her entire life, but this would change when she met Pierre Curie. He too had an infatuation for science, which led to many enlightening conversation between the pair of them and eventually their marriage in 1895.
Marie and Pierre were more than husband and wife; they were partners in all their studies and discoveries.“[Their] work drew [them] closer and closer, until [they] were both convinced that neither of [them] could find a better life companion,” wrote Marie. Even though Marie and Pierre seemed to be meant for each other, Marie still had to learn how to balance life as a wife, researcher, and also a job as a science teacher for young women. Being a teacher, though, had to take a back seat, because in September of 1897 Marie had her daughter Irene. Marie and Pierre’s life was revolved completely around their family and their work, which may have been the reason their daughter Irene, as she became older, grew to have the same passion for science as her parents.
The Things She Left Behind
Though Marie’s life would end on July 4, 1934 her research and discoveries would keep her memory and achievements alive, making her one of the most famous physicist ever, man or woman. Her death is thought to have been caused by her constant exposure to radiation in her lab, but her death would not stop the continuation of her research. Marie's work indirectly led to the discovery of artificial radioactivity through the research of her daughter Irene and Irene’s husband Frederic Joliot (“Discovery of Radium and Polonium”).Her daughter would even go on to win a noble prize just as she had. Marie Curie, as one of the first female professors, also provided a role model for women who wanted to do more in their life. With Marie’s example women no longer felt as though they were being held back by prejudice societal views; they now had the confidence to go out and follow their ambitions just as Marie did. Marie Curie’s work became a foundation for treating cancer, manipulating nuclear energy and creating atomic bombs, along with many other contributions ("Marie Curie”).
References
1. http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1903/marie-curie-bio.html "Marie Curie"
2. http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/onlinestuff/stories/marie_curie_and_the_history_of_radioactivity.aspx "Marie Curie and the History of Radiology"
3. http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/curie.html "Discovery of Radium and Polonium"
4. http://www.aip.org/history/curie/ "Marie Curie and the Science of Radioactivity"